KNP is sacred.I am opposed to the modernisation of Kruger and from the depths of my soul long for the Kruger of yesteryear! 1000+km on foot in KNP incl 56 wild trails.200+ nights in the wildernessndloti-indigenous name for serval.

Those tents underneath that tree .... did you all have a good look what is in that tree before you pitched your tents? And against the river bank with all those bushes? I would have pitched my tent in the middle of the riverbed, too scared of creepy crawlies.

I think it was a branch of the Bububu, Ndloti, but I'll have to check with Brenden. I am expecting a map from him soon that would show the route we walked. You may be able to pinpoint the name of the venue where we pitched our camp from that post... You'll just have to wait a bit as Brenden is guiding a trail group somewhere...

hilda wrote:Those tents underneath that tree .... did you all have a good look what is in that tree before you pitched your tents? And against the river bank with all those bushes? I would have pitched my tent in the middle of the riverbed, too scared of creepy crawlies.

Our tents are creepy-crawly-proof, Hilda. I checked for a place to pitch my tent that was level and free of bumps and humps... Those can be much more taxing that the odd goggo-longleg-thingy...

While we were topping up on water, some double-banded sandgrouse came in and landed noisely closeby to sit quietly, waiting for us to finish up at the water so that they could take their turns slaking their thirsts.

JoelR wrote: I just want to throw in some cliffhangers for those waiting for Johan:

- What to make of kanniedood wood, elephant dung and a blue waxbill nest?

Cliffhanger #2

Back at camp another challenge awaited the atlassers. Brenden had, without elaboration, started collecting bits-and-pieces that turned out to be the essential ingredients for making fire from scratch. Brenden called the team over and explained what was required of them. Instantly the indomitable human spirit was geared to the continued survival of humankind.

Brenden had all the tools and ingredients lined up:1. Ground sheet: on which the action takes place; to prevent sand ingress from polluting the fire-nest.2. Fire board: made of medium density wood with small depressions and the coal-catching notches pre-cut.3. The hand-drill (or spindle); any straight stick will do.4. A drill tip of the same wood type as the fire board is notched into the spindle and tied down with rope made from plant fibre. These produce fine carbon material during the spinning action when both the fire board and the drill tip carbons up due to the frictional heat produced.5. Very fine nesting maretial to catch the ember (fine fibres collected from dry elephant dung)6. Fine kindling (a waxbill nest; seen on the extreme right of the collection of kindling)7. More substantial kindling (rough, dry grass and fine twigs)8. A row of willing clan members to ensure continuous drive for the drilling action

Tobie holds down the fire board while Brenden explains the change-over procedure to the rest of the team.

The team started off slowly, soon learning that the task at hand is more difficult to accomplish than what it appears to be. The team suggests that Cecilia holds down the fire board instead of Tobie so that his brawn could also be applied to the critical drilling process that should be continuous. Asanja prepares to take over from Brenden. Leonie2, Pooh Bear Tobie and JoelR looks on.

During the previous atlassing stint in February, Multiflorum and Wild Blue Yonder were the only drillers to assist Brenden and Asanja and successfully performing the task was ultimately just out of reach. This time we had enough energy to get to that moment of magic!

The birth of a fire takes place when the carbon formed by the drilling action forms a glowing ember. In our case the coal fell out suddenly due to a slight equipment malfunction: the slot cut in the fire board was too narrow so the carbon collected in the slot instead of accumulating gradually on the elephant dung nest. When it became "too heavy" to continue hanging up in the notch, the coal fell out onto the nest, instantly delivering that magic moment.

I just love the look on Brenden, and specifically Leonie2's faces as the abracadabra thingy happens...

Brenden expertly nurtures life into the glowing ember by cuddling the glowing coal in the fine, dry elephant dung and softly blowing onto the little treasure.

Adding the waxbill nest to the smoldering elephant dung and blowing onto the glowing coal immediately produces a result. Fire is now just about in our grasp!

If the continued existence of the Human Race depended on our efforts, we proudly present ... FIRE!!!

Pooh Bear and Tobie looks on as Brenden and Asanja tends to the fire. Cecilia records the moment for prosperity... Later on that night while sitting around the fire, I noticed a number of atlassers closely inspecting the palms of their hands…

An incoherent thought falls like a single ember from the fireboard and suddenly flashes brighter as inspiration fuels creativity to burn brilliantly. New insight is tamed from the bonfire of vision.

At times it is a sound or sight we remember.Vaguely at first, then instantly sharp memorydenies our pained senses the benefit of insightand unkindly we stifle the ingenious glow.

As disjointed thoughts fall like vivid sparks softly blow on the embers to nourish inspirationthat will ignite a galaxy of dazzling pyrotechnics.Compassion is forged from the beautiful chaos.

Cherries wrote:I just love this bed time read! Photos of birds and other 'mites... what more could we ask!

For my audience back

It is tough getting attention to the Mpongolo atlassing TR again after it has been inactive for so long, reasons not withstanding...

At least the thread serve a purpose for some... to lull them off to dreamland...

Cherries wrote:Magical moments indeed with a bit of poetry for the soul!

The poetry bit is a sure sign that I got core-touched during the few days spent in the wilderness amid some very special events, with exceptional people, through extraordinary discussions and finally getting those flashes of inspiration… Heheheheeee… sure sign…

Waterbuck wrote:Great read so far Johan - keeping me company on one of my quickies...... spending the night in Addo !!

A bragging quicky-taker… Keep up the cheering. Bro’

hilda wrote:Beautiful pictures of the Sandgrouse!

Very interesting what you need to create a fire! Nice to see all the faces who joined in on this trip on foot too!

Thanks for the kind words regarding the pix, hilda.

Of cause a flick of the Bic would have done the fire-making trick so much faster… but without the primordial thrill! I think Dianne alluded to the fact that “her boys” are lately slumming with the troglodytes…

I don’t remember much of that first night, except for it once again being canopied by the brilliant, moonless southern night sky, early-on punctuated by frequent calls of a Scops-owl somewhere in the distance, later becoming quiet like only the bush can...

MattAxel wrote:I'll also read it if I really have to JvR But jokes aside, I have been following this trip report and I'm really enjoying the read!

You HAVE to, Matt... Jokes aside...

Tilandi wrote:Enjoying the night time read. Soon to nod off into dream land. Love the pics and narration. Keep it coming Johan

I'll try my very best! (Another one using this read as a sleeping pill!)

joanm456 wrote:Too bad you can't transport them robber flies to here sure would help out the blue flie situation. Oh well great TR!!!

I don't want to cause false hope, but what part of the world does your PM come from, joanm456?

The story continues:

By morning before we left for the area recognisance walk, Leonie2 had 50 birds on his list, including a pair of lovingly pruning arrow-marked babblers... What was THIS all about so late in the breeding season?

JoelR took over from Leonie2 and the atlassing started from scratch again for the new card.